If you can tear yourself away from the beaches of Goa and travel further inland, you’ll be richly rewarded with this tour from Goa to Hampi. Within minutes of arriving in Hampi, you’ll fall under its spell. Everyone gushes about the strange magical atmosphere in Hampi, but you’ll only understand when you get there yourself. It is a bewitching, ancient capital strewn with vast ruins and sculptures that stands in a dramatic landscape of huge boulders, about 125km inland from Goa. However, its greatest charm is the enchanting farming village that sits amid this bizarre jumble of giant rocks and ruins. For years, Hampi has attracted experienced travellers seeking spiritual retreat and artistic inspiration. During this tour from Goa to Hampi, you’ll stay in a pleasant but simple guesthouse in the middle of Hampi. If you would like a little more luxury, you can choose the heritage upgrade, and stay in the nearby village of Hospet.

If you'd like to start building your very own India trip, take a look at our range of bite-sized India tours. Alternatively, you can take your pick from one of our suggested holidays to India. Need some more advice or inspiration? Have a chat with one of our India travel specialists on 01273 322044.

Day 1: Arrival in Hampi

Today you’ll travel inland from Goa to Hampi, a magical village on the shores of the Tungabhadra River. The journey takes about 7-8 hours and it is definitely worth the trip. Hampi is a small farming town in the state of Karnataka, nestled amongst mind-boggling ancient ruins and sculptures. In Hampi, you'll explore the ruins which are the remains of the old city of Vijayanagara, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the early mornings and late afternoons, the combination of gentle light and striking landscape gives Hampi a special ambience that defies description. In the afternoon on the first day of your tour from Goa to Hampi, you’ll visit the Tungabhadra Dam and the Japanese Gardens. You’ll stay in a simple guesthouse located in the centre of Hampi, or, if you would like to upgrade, we can provide more luxurious accommodation a little further from town.

Day 2: Hampi - guided tour

After breakfast on day two of your Goa to Hampi trip, you’ll spend the whole day exploring with your English-speaking guide. The ruins are spread across a large distance between massive rocks, banana plantations and bright green shrubs. The remains of the palaces and gates to the city tell a magical story and showcase the creativity of the emperor of Vijayanagara. You’ll visit many extraordinary sites - the Temple of Malyavanta, Hampi Bazaar (a beautiful street in the days of the Vijayanagaran Empire), the Virupaksha Temple, the Ugra Narasimha Burial Mound and the Vithala Temple complex with its 56 musical columns.

At the end of the day, you’ll be dropped off at your guesthouse. There’s nothing planned for the evening, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore. You’ll get a real taste of Indian rural living, with buffalo carts, cows and goats, roaming everywhere. There are several small restaurants serving local dishes and, as the sun slowly sets, you can climb the nearby hill to enjoy the magical sunset.

Day 3: Hampi - Free time

Day three of your trip from Goa to Hampi is completely free, and there’s plenty to discover in this little town before you head back to Goa. Hampi was once a huge capital city in the Vijaynagaran Empire, larger at that time than Paris or London. Like Fatehpur Sikri in the north, it has been deserted for centuries. One of the most famous ruins is the massive stone carriage that is parked in front of an impressive gallery of decorated pillars, each sculpted from a single block of stone. Alternatively, you could hire a bicycle or scooter and head for the dam. Jump into the clear blue waters from the overhanging boulders and explore things at your own pace on this India trip.

Day 4: Departure from Hampi

After travelling from Goa to Hampi, your India trip comes to an end after breakfast today. So, you’ll say farewell to this unforgettable place, and set off on the 7-8 hour drive back to Goa. If you would prefer to continue south, take a look at our range of our South India tour packages in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Feel free to ask one of our travel specialists.

Back in Goa, you’ll either head to the airport or spend a couple of days on the beach. Take a look at our tours in Goa for more ideas.